HE’S LITTLE, he’s green, he wished he could fly, and now he is here in the Algarve! Yes, Orville has arrived, thanks to the new business partnership of Keith Harris and Billy Pierce at Albufeira’s newest entertainment venue, The Cabaret Club in Montechoro (Albufeira). Speaking to The Resident’s Louise Pimm a few days before the opening night (May 27), both Keith and Billy were extremely excited about their new venture.
“I have been coming to my house in the Algarve on and off for 16 years,” Keith said, “and have always thought that Albufeira needed something extra. There’s no real family entertainment in the area. But now, thanks to everyone’s hard work, we’ve got the perfect venue to give people a fantastic show and a great night out.”
The club will bring something completely unique to the Algarve, giving holidaymakers and residents a chance to enjoy comedy, dance and music in a relaxed but professional atmosphere. The show, comprising of performances from Keith and Orville, Billy Pierce, singer Sarah Gradenz and six dancing girls, will be non stop entertainment, and the music will certainly get your feet tapping.
“I performed here 20 years ago, when it was called Michaels,” Keith said. “However, when it closed, the building lay empty for years. I had always thought of opening a cabaret club here, but it wasn’t until I contacted Billy that it could come true.”
Success has come at a price though, and for Keith, Billy and Beverly Rogers, the organisational mastermind behind the venture, that price has been months of hands-on hard work. “We got the go-ahead last April and the work started. We had to completely gut the inside of the building, and we filled up 25 skips with rubbish, but come Saturday, it will all have been worth it!”
“It has certainly been a learning curve,” Billy, who has been performing in Blackpool for 20 years, and with the Osmonds for the last two, admitted. For someone like Billy who has never done anything like this before, “it’s been an emotional journey”.
“It’s also been hard because I have never worked abroad before. I have been asked to perform on cruises and overseas, but I have always shied away from it. I love my home too much,” Billy said.
“Keith and I have known each other for years; we go back a long way and respect and trust each other. When he mentioned this place, I took a gamble. Everything seems to have slotted into place. We’ve had our ups and downs, we even had to stop working on it for a while, but everything is back on track now, and we are all looking forward to Saturday. I just want to get out there and perform!”
Catering for the British market, The Cabaret Club has an exclusive partnership with four surrounding restaurants. When you book your ticket, you will be asked to choose from a Chinese, Italian, Indian or Steak House restaurant for your evening meal. Once you have finished dining, you will be accompanied to The Cabaret Club, where you will receive a welcome drink, be seated at your table, and then waited on all evening for any drinks you require.
For one night a week, the show will be for adults only, but for the majority, it’s family fun all the way. Keith will make you laugh and “ahh” with his little green pal, Orville; Billy will be singing, dancing and telling jokes; and the six dancing girls, auditioned for in the UK, will add that wow factor to evening performances. Opening on May 27, the club will run until the end of September. However, once the doors close to the summer holiday public, Keith and Billy envisage the building being used for private functions, conferences or even Christmas pantos.
There is a range of tickets available, from individual tickets for the dinner and show at 37 euros, to family tickets (two adults, two children) for dinner and show at 85 euros or just the show for a family of two adults and one child at 60 euros. Keith and Billy are both very proud of The Cabaret Club and, with 82 years experience in entertaining between them, they certainly know what the public want.
The opening night is sure to be a spectacular occasion, don’t be missed off the guest list! You can collect your ticket at the door, or you can book by calling the box office on 289 543 940. Restaurant meals begin at 7pm, with the show starting at 9pm. The Cabaret Club is located next to Erin’s Isle, opposite the Montechoro Hotel.
